Investigators believe a love triangle is at the heart of the murder of a monk in Udon Thani, as the chief suspect on Saturday denied any involvement.
Ake Udon Hospital executive chairman Banjerd Chatpaitoon has been arrested for the murder of Phra Bandit Supanthito, the abbot of Wat Pa Tor Si Siad, but on Saturday denied being the mastermind.
Mr Banjerd also denied being involved in the tawdry sexual affair that police believe provoked it. National police chief Somyot Pumpanmuang said the motive was jealousy over a woman — known only as Dr Kaew — with whom he alleged Mr Banjerd had been in a sexual relationship.
Mr Banjerd along with Pol Snr Sgt Maj Chanchai Sroisangwal, a member of Udon Thani police’s crime suppression and prevention unit, and Boonnag Hongsakham, a driver for Udon Thani’s Regional Irrigation Office, were brought before a press conference at the Royal Thai Police Office (RTPO) yesterday.
All were charged with colluding in the murder of Phra Bandit on Mar 1.
Mr Banjerd was also charged with premeditated murder for hiring a gunman to kill the victim. However, he refused to give a statement to police, saying he would defend himself in court. Police said Pol Snr Sgt Maj Chanchai and Mr Boonnag admitted all wrongdoings.
The court also refused bail for Mr Banjerd. They said releasing him could directly affect witness testimony because he was an influential figure in the province.
Pol Gen Somyot said Pol Maj Gen Boonlue Korbangyang, an ex-Udon Thani police chief who was Pol Snr Sgt Maj Chanchai’s superintendent, was also summoned for questioning on Wednesday.
Pol Maj Gen Boonlue said he knew Mr Banjerd as a powerful local person. Mr Banjerd asked him to help monitor Dr Kaew’s behaviour as he suspected Phra Bandit was having sexual relations with her.
Pol Maj Gen Boonlue then ordered Pol Snr Sgt Maj Chanchai to stalk Dr Kaew and gave his subordinate’s mobile phone number to Mr Banjerd.
Pol Gen Somyot said, however, if any police officers were found to be connected to the murder, legal proceedings will be brought against them. Pol Snr Sgt Maj Chanchai allegedly told police that Mr Banjerd paid him 300,000 baht to shoot Phra Bandit. The first 50,000 baht was paid on Jan 30 at a hotel in Udon Thani and the remaining 250,000 baht was paid before he fled from the province after the murder.
Panja Chareesaen, arrested on Wednesday in Kalasin, was his friend who was allegedly hired as the gunman.
A sum of 50,000 baht was wired to Mr Panja’s bank account for purchasing a shotgun on Jan 31, and another 110,000 baht after the incident.
Mr Boonnag, who police suspect identified the target, was hired for 55,000 baht to inspect the scene and potential escape routes.
Pol Snr Sgt Maj Chanchai said Mr Banjerd accused Phra Bandit of being a bad monk who had sex with many women and embezzled temple donations. Mr Banjerd name-dropped several high-ranking officers in Udon Thani.
However, Pol Snr Sgt Maj Chanchai denied Pol Maj Gen Boonlue’s involvement with the murder as his orders were only to “monitor Dr Kaew’s behaviour”.